The Writing Tag

What was your first-ever piece of writing? 

Oh my gosh...I really don't know. I've been creating stories for the longest time, I can't really tell you what my first one was. I know for sure, though, that the earliest version of my first book was my first official, as in to be-worked-on-and-published, piece of writing. Before that, I had just done it for fun and enjoyment(though I've always wanted to publish something). 

How old were you when you first began writing? 

Really young, so I'm not sure. I was nine when I started my earliest draft of book 1. 

Name two writing goals. One short term & one long term.

Short terms- get better, of course, get the book 2 re-write complete, and finish editing book 1

Do you write fiction or non-fiction? 

Fiction. 

Bouncing off of question 4, what’s your favorite genre to write in? 

Science Fiction(particularly Space Opera, Soft/Social Sci-Fi, Military Sci-Fi, etc), Fantasy, Contemporary Life(about important issues), and Historical Fiction. 

One writing lesson you’ve learned since 2013 began. 

That sometimes sentences can be arranged in a way that can be clear to the reader(oh, and that my writing is too violent for some(which I already kind of knew...)

Favorite author, off the top of your head! 

I have several- Jude Watson, J.R.R. Tolkien, Matthew Stover, J.K. Rowling, C.S. Lewis, Victor Hugo, Kevin J. Anderson, Karen Miller(at times), Garth Nix, Nancy Farmer, Suzanne Collins, and Frances Hodgson Burnett. 

Three current favorite books. 

As in books I've read recently that I loved? - The Hunchback of Notre-Dame(which I'm nearly done with), Oblivion, and Drowning Instinct 

As for my most favorite books of all time, here's a condensed list- Lord of the Rings trilogy, the Star Wars EU(most of it, excluding Karen Traviss's travesty, anything with Taria, Jedi Trial, and any book that messes with canon) especially those by Jude Watson/Matthew Stover/Kevin J. Anderson, Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Underland Chronicles, The Seventh Tower series, Abhorsen trilogy, Sea of Trolls trilogy, The Power of Five series, Les Miserables, The Hobbit, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, Speak, Ender's Game/Speaker for the Dead, Chaos Walking trilogy, The Silmarillion, etc. 

Biggest influence on your writing {person}:

My cousin- we discussed a lot of things and he helped me out on a lot of plotlines; also, my sister. 

What’s your go-to writing music? 

I've listened to all kinds of music while I'm writing; anything from metal, to rock, to pop, to musicals, to movie soundtracks. 

List three to five writing quirks of your’s! Little habits, must-haves as you write, etc.

I write in bursts, which is weird, how well my writing is depends on my mood; I also must have silence, or music playing, to block out other noise. I also don't like a bunch of people in the room. 

What, in three sentences or less, does your writing mean to you?

It's a way to express myself that I can't do verbally.

Top Ten Books I'd Love to See as a Movie or TV Show

My book series of course!!! :D But since it's not published yet, and since it's my own series, I won't include it.

1: Jedi Apprentice series/Secrets of the Jedi/Jedi Quest series/Legacy of the Jedi/Last of the Jedi series by Jude Watson.
I would absolutely LOVE a TV series based around Jude Watson amazing conglomeration of novels!! :D
It would be so amazing to see my favorite Star Wars books acted out on screen! :D I'd want it to be a live action TV show, but I would be okay if it was animated too.  It would be such a good thing for the Star Wars universe, would help fix, I'd hope, the terrible mess the canon is in. Plus, I'd get to see Siri Tachi and that would be soooo awesome!! :D
Dream Cast
Obi-Wan Kenobi- Young- unknown; someone who resembles Ewan   older- Ewan McGregor
Qui-Gon Jinn - Young-  unknown; same as above    older- Liam Nesson
Siri Tachi - Young- unknown, though Karley Scott Collins could pull it off    Teen- ME!!       older- Dianna Agron(she looks PERFECT!)
Ferus Olin- unknown
Darra Thel-Tanis- unknown, though Conner Dwelly could play the role well, since she was really good on Once Upon A Time and she has reddish hair.
Tahl- Gina Torres or Freema Agyeman


2: The Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins
I seriously can't believe that The Hunger Games trilogy(also by Suzanne Collins) has become a movie and this series hasn't! While I love both series of books, the Underland Chronicles were, in my opinion, superior and would make AMAZING movies in the right hands. If they haven't been made into movies once I'm in the business, I'll try and get them made. That, or at least, a TV series.
Dream Cast
Gregor - Maybe Dylan Schmid or Asa Butterfield? They're both very talented and are young enough to pull him off, since he's twelve.
Luxa - I'm not sure- maybe Karley Scott Collins since she was good on Once Upon A Time and could play the age, as well as Conner Dwelly
Boots- a new actress, since she's a toddler
Lizzie- not sure


3: The Seventh Tower series by Garth Nix
I love this fantasy series and like almost-always, Mr. Nix always delivers a spectacular fantasy series, with great characters and a fascinating world.
Tal - unknown
Milla - unknown

4: Abhorsen trilogy by Garth Nix
Another great series(a trilogy) by fantasy author Garth Nix; this would definitely make for a good movie trilogy, especially since it stars strong female characters(Sabriel in the first book and Lirael in the next two).
Sabriel- I think I'd like to play her
Lirael-
Touchstone-

5: Sea of Trolls trilogy by Nancy Farmer
This was such a good trilogy and I loved every single minute of reading it. It has such depth- of world, of characters, or mythology, etc.
Jack- unknown
Thorgil- I'd love to play the role, but I'm probably too old
Lucy- unknown
the Bard- Patrick Stewart maybe, or Liam Nesson

6: Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness
Todd Hewitt- I'm not sure- he'd have to be really talented and a teenager(ish).
Viola Eade- I'd love to play this role
Mayor Prentiss - Maybe Harry Groener or Andrew Scott, since I believe they could pull off the crazy character off correctly(he's definitely one of the most interesting villains I've come across)
Ben- Sean Maher
Cillian- an unknown, perhaps
Bradley - I have an idea, but I'm going blank on the actor's name
Simone - Scarlet Johansson

7: Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
There's already been a movie based on this book, but it was kinda awful(especially when compared to the book), so I'd love for their to be a remake of it.
Ella- Lily Collins looks right and she might be able to pull it off. An unknown teen actress would work too
Charmont- Ben Barnes maybe
Areida- Angel Coulby would do a good job here, I think
Hattie- unknown
Olive- unknown

8: The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine
This is an awesome book with a great main character(she's amazing) and I think it would make an incredible movie!
Addie- Bonnie Wright, maybe, or Emma Watson
Meryl- Katie McGrath(she could also do Addie)
Rhys- Ben Barnes

9: The Well of Sacrifice by Chris Eboch
There aren't nearly enough films with non-Europeon ethnic leads in movies made nowadays, so I think this one would be a good one to film since it's exciting, has a great lead, and would show a Native American(it takes place in a Mayan city) cast, which I think is an important thing since I don't think I know of many Native American actors; hopefully, if this movie were made, it would bring some great talents to light :)
Evenstar - an unknown- I would go and cast someone from Guatemala or Mexico who was Mayan for the role.

10: The Hunchback of Notre-Dame(Notre Dame de-Paris) by Victor Hugo
This book has had a million adaptions, I know, but none of them have quite got it right(the 1997 version, for me anyway, was the closet and best version, at least in spirit- the 1977 one was the closet to being book accurate, but it lacked the spirit or the talent).
Dream Cast
Frollo - I think Patrick Stewart, Richard Armitage, Ewan McGregor, or Tom Hiddleston would all be wonderful in the role. It's an extremely difficult role and I feel that they could pull it off.
Esmeralda- If you're going to bring up her mother storyline, then I'd say Summer Glau since she looks young enough to play the role and the actress has dancing experience(and she'd rock in the role!); however, if that plot line isn't going to be brought up, I think a person of Bohemian descent(or at least someone who looks close enough) should be cast- I think Morena Boccarin would be good in the role too. Of course, I'd love to play the role as well :) I'm young enough(since she's 16 in the book)
Gringoire- Tom Hiddleston would do a good job, I think, as well as Colin Morgan.
Jehan- Bradley James or Colin Morgan
Quasimodo- I have no idea

Top 10 Tuesday(sort of): Books You Think Should Be Required Reading

                                    

Okay, so basically this challenge(From The Broke and the Bookish) is where we have to list book we think should be required reading in schools(and remember, I'm homeschooled, so I might put books on the list that are already there for some schools). Of course, I won't add books I know for sure that actually ARE on the list that I love.
Also, I started school yesterday!! :D Senior! :D

1: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien(might be on the list, might not; The Hobbit I think is)

The most epic fantasy series ever. Enough said.

2: Revenge of the Sith by Matthew Stover


While I'd love to include my favorite among Jude Watson's books, but since they're all so tangled together, I couldn't add one without adding all of them(and this has to be books, not mutli-series/novel conglomeration). Anyway, this was definitely one of the most powerful books I've had the opportunity of reading and I think readers would benefit from it, especially as a showcase of good writing.

3: Les Miserables by Victor Hugo


I know, I know it's REALLY long(the copy I read from the library was 1,222 pages and the soft cover I own has even more pages), but it's SO GOOD! :D Victor Hugo is definitely up there with J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis as favorite classic writers. Les Miserables is an amazing story with vibrant characters and a beautiful message(and some amazing writing).


4: Notre Dame-de Paris (also known as The Hunchback of Notre Dame) by Victor Hugo



I'm quite surprised Victor Hugo isn't required reading more often, since he's books are so good.
I'm currently reading this book and even though I haven't finished it, I know the story(it's GOOD) and I can already tell it's going to be good! It's shorter and gives a good idea of how Hugo writes before starting his massive work. Plus, it has some very interesting characters and it's unclear who the heroes are and who are the villains which is always a nice thing.

5: Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson


Definitely an important read- especially with the nasty rape culture about. It shows that it is NEVER the victim's fault; I just loved how it painted her in a sympathetic light, since most of the time that isn't the case

6: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett


A favorite of mine at around 11/12, I definitely think this should be junior high required reading. It's a nice introduction to classic literature, as in it's easy to follow and is a very interested, well written story.

7: The Sound and The Fury by William Faulkner


While I understand this book will be hard for people to understand, I really do think it's book other people should read. It's very well written, nicely complex, and the second section, Quentin's section, is pure genius.

8: Sabriel by Garth Nix


One of the best dark fantasy books I've read(along with the next two books in it's trilogy); it also features a good female lead who can take care of herself which I definitely think is important to show in required reading in school

9: I, Robot by Isaac Asimov



As a sci-fi fan, I, of course, had to put Asimov on the list somewhere since he's one of the most important science fiction writers of all time. I've read several of his work and "I, Robot" was definitely the best out of the three I read. Definitely a good show case of good sci-fi.

10: Hate List by Jennifer Brown


Another book I think it would be important to read in school. School shootings are a very real danger in public schools(I know they don't happen all the time, but they can and they do). I think it would be beneficial to understand what causes people to do those terrible things and what happens to the people they leave behind(plus, the book is just plain amazing).